Consumers Energy in Jackson, Michigan plans to lay off 80 union employees by the end of the month. Letters were sent to the laid off employees Tuesday. The natural gas company says that the layoffs are necessary because of poor economic conditions statewide and an anticipated decline in workload. Last November the utility company offered buyouts to almost all employees. Union employees had until January to accept the offer (118 did). Those who took the buyout agreed to a pay package tied to years of service and a continuation of the company paid portion of the health care plan for a certain period of time. Consumers Energy employs more than 8,000 in Michigan.